Hayden Panettiere’s ex Wladimir Klitschko breaks silence after actress’ death

Hayden Panettiere’s ex shared a cryptic post just hours before the beloved actress’ death was confirmed.

Former heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko and Panettiere were together for nine years and share a daughter, Kaya, who is now 11.

“Resilience is not about surviving the hit. It’s about getting up and refusing to quit,” Klitschko posted on X.

His message of survival and resilience was shared on Sunday evening just hours before Panettiere’s representative confirmed the Heroes and Nashville actress had died.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden,” the statement said.

“She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen.”

Their high-profile, on-and-off relationship was frequently in the press, with rumours of break-ups following the couple until they finally split for good in 2018.

When the pair separated, Klitschko and their daughter moved to his home country, Ukraine .

In 2018, Klitschko received full custody of Kaya amid Panettiere’s battle with addiction to alcohol and pills.

In a July interview with parenting magazine Momé , Panettiere opened up about the near-death birth, postpartum depression and the painful decision to give her ex-fiancé custody of their daughter.

“I love my daughter, and I’m so proud of the young woman she is becoming,” Panettiere said.

“One day she’ll understand my story, and why I wasn’t able to be with her all the time.”

She previously described her ex-fiancé as a deeply respected, protective presence who offered her safety during her early Hollywood years.

Following Panettiere’s death, fans and followers sent messages of support to the former sportsman, wishing him “strength and resilience” during this incredibly difficult time.